Nicolai's Daughters (35 page)

I started this book with a few images, thoughts, really. The novel found its soul when I visited Kalavryta and the museum and listened to the testimonials of the victims and climbed Kappi Hill myself. Making a dream come true takes the unwavering faith and the kindness of many.  I am very fortunate to have so many people to thank. They have stood by me through the six years of writing, editing, researching and reediting this novel. First I'd like to thank my Whistler critique group, Pam Barnsley, Katherine Fawcett, Sara Leach, Mary MacDonald, Libby McKeever, Sue Oakey, Nancy Routley, and Rebecca Wood Barrett. This group of talented writers has provided me with so much more than just their eagle eyes, their literary expertise, thoughtful questions and insightful comments. Thank you so much for your friendship, camaraderie and generosity. My Simon Fraser University critique group has also stuck with me. Thanks so much, Eric Brown, Jennifer Honeyburn, James Leslie, Linda Quennec and ElJean Wilson.

I'd also like to thank Annabel Lyon and Paulette Bourgeois for their review and critique of my first chapters, Lawrence Hill for encouraging me to finish the novel, Wayne Grady for listening when I rambled on about my characters, Merilyn Simonds who innocently asked to read my manuscript one day and then helped me bring the novel to a level I know I could never have taken it to on my own, and Caroline Adderson and Andreas Schroeder for providing me with sound publishing advice and leads. I owe you all so much more than I will ever be able to repay or adequately acknowledge. Thank you.  

Thank you to Karen Haughian and the team at Signature Editions for taking a chance on an unknown author and a war tragedy forgotten by history. You've made my transition into the world of publishing exciting and seamless. 

I'd like to thank friends and family for always inquiring about my writing and my novel. Thanks so much for your genuine interest and support.  

Finally I'd like to thank the one who puts up with me day in, day out.  Whenever I feel like my back is against the wall, I've taken on too much, nothing is going as planned, I find Dave beside me, encouraging me forward.

Stella Leventoyannis Harvey's stories have appeared in
The Literary Leanings Anthology, The New Orphic Review, Emerge Magazine, The Question
and
The Dalhousie Review
. Her non-fiction has appeared in
Pique Newsmagazine
and the
Globe and Mail
.

A social worker by training, she ran a management consulting practice in Canada and abroad. She was born in Cairo, Egypt and moved to Calgary, Alberta as a child with her family. Much of her family still lives in Greece, where she visits often, indulging her love of Greek food and culture and honing her fluency in the language.

In 2001, Stella founded the Whistler Writers Group, also known as the Vicious Circle, which each year produces the Whistler Writers Festival under her direction.